Since going over capacity last week, the water level in the Oroville Dam has dropped, but it’s still at a higher level for this time of year than the previous 16 years. The dam reached capacity causing overflowing water to go into two of the dam’s spillways. But damage to those spillways created concern that […]
The utterly avoidable, terrifying and still potentially catastrophic failures of the spillways of North America’s highest dam – California’s 170 foot, earth-filled Oroville – could, with the right national leadership, awaken America to the urgency of investing in our physical safety and future – our infrastructure.
Communities just downstream of California’s Lake Oroville dam would not receive adequate warning or time for evacuations if the 770-foot-tall dam itself — rather than its spillways — were to abruptly fail, the state water agency that operates the nation’s tallest dam repeatedly advised federal regulators a half-decade ago. The state Department of Water Resources […]
Starved of freshwater inflow from the Central Valley rivers that feed it, the San Francisco Bay-Delta is on the verge of collapse. This iconic estuary, which defines our region, has been neglected for too long. Fortunately, the state Water Board is poised to provide relief by updating the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. Phase […]
In fall of 2013, Protect Our Water Rights (POWR), a group of North County landowners, united to, “protect its members’ legally predominant rights to reasonably use the water beneath their lands.” After three years of litigation, the window for landowners to join the lawsuit as part of the POWR group is closing.
These three graphs show key California reservoir conditions and river stages for the upper and lower Sacramento Valley. The images are from the California Department of Water Resources’ Data Exchange Center and the National Weather Service.
Oroville Dam Reached Capacity Faster Than Previous 16 Years
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /NPRby Wynne Davis and Alyson HurtSince going over capacity last week, the water level in the Oroville Dam has dropped, but it’s still at a higher level for this time of year than the previous 16 years. The dam reached capacity causing overflowing water to go into two of the dam’s spillways. But damage to those spillways created concern that […]
Lessons of Oroville: The Flood Next Time
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Huffington Postby Carl PopeThe utterly avoidable, terrifying and still potentially catastrophic failures of the spillways of North America’s highest dam – California’s 170 foot, earth-filled Oroville – could, with the right national leadership, awaken America to the urgency of investing in our physical safety and future – our infrastructure.
AP Exclusive: If California Dam Failed, People Likely Stuck
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Associated Pressby Ellen KnickmeyerCommunities just downstream of California’s Lake Oroville dam would not receive adequate warning or time for evacuations if the 770-foot-tall dam itself — rather than its spillways — were to abruptly fail, the state water agency that operates the nation’s tallest dam repeatedly advised federal regulators a half-decade ago. The state Department of Water Resources […]
OPINION: California Can Revive San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)by Peter DrekmeierStarved of freshwater inflow from the Central Valley rivers that feed it, the San Francisco Bay-Delta is on the verge of collapse. This iconic estuary, which defines our region, has been neglected for too long. Fortunately, the state Water Board is poised to provide relief by updating the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. Phase […]
Feb. 28 Is Final Day To Join Water-Rights Lawsuit
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /A-Town Daily News (Atascadero)In fall of 2013, Protect Our Water Rights (POWR), a group of North County landowners, united to, “protect its members’ legally predominant rights to reasonably use the water beneath their lands.” After three years of litigation, the window for landowners to join the lawsuit as part of the POWR group is closing.
How Full Are Northern California Reservoirs and Rivers?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeThese three graphs show key California reservoir conditions and river stages for the upper and lower Sacramento Valley. The images are from the California Department of Water Resources’ Data Exchange Center and the National Weather Service.